Story update: Oreo was examined by the vet, who confirmed that he had worms but was otherwise in good health. He was treated by the vet and according to AACL inspector Pauline Lennon, he will be returned later today (July 23) to the family.

Original story below:

Three clearly emaciated dogs have been barking for help from behind a fence at their home in a residential area of Ladysmith for weeks, if not months…

At least that’s what a passerby must have felt; and indeed someone did, as the Animal Anti-Cruelty League (AACL) was called in to investigate.

But, as the saying goes, no good deed goes unpunished.

Public Safety by-law officers visited the property yesterday (July 22) after receiving multiple complaints about the condition of the dogs. A decision was then made to locate the homeowners.

One concerned resident, who asked not to be named, said the dogs appeared underfed and were kept in conditions bordering on abuse. And to the untrained eye, that did seem to be the case.

According to Public Safety by-law officer Mr Mkhize, the owners of the dogs were successfully tracked down. Together with the AACL, officers visited the property at 16:00 yesterday afternoon.

However, the issue wasn’t that the dogs were not being fed. The homeowner was able to show that they had dog food and that the animals were indeed eating.

While his family talked to the by-law officers and AACL inspector Pauline Lennon, the dog (whose name is ‘Oreo’) was oblivious to what the humans around him were discussing. He was wagging his tail, prancing around from person to person, sniffing, licking and clearly happy to be the centre of attention. Oreo is the owners’ children’s first pet. He has been with the family since the kids were in high school, adored and loved by all.

The problem, explained Lennon, was most likely worms.  She added that two of the dogs will need to be de-wormed. The third dog, a family pet that has been with them for over 12 years, was removed to be seen by a veterinarian this morning (July 23). It will be up to the vet to determine whether the dog, a clearly loved animal, will recover or be euthanised – a clinical term that, in truth, means ‘put down’ (killed).

Commenting on the matter, Lennon said, “It’s always sad when a dog has to be removed.”

With paperwork complete, Oreo was picked up by his human ‘dad’ and taken, tail wagging, to the AACL van. From there, he would be transported to the kennels and await his fate. With the dye cast, his humans could only watch as he was driven away…

A simple act of kindness by a stranger reporting what they believed was animal abuse has left a family without their beloved pet… And for this journalist, a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. Sometimes the right thing has unintended consequences.

A true case of ‘no good deed goes unpunished’.

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